Problems · NHTSA complaints

2009 Ford Fusion problems

Owners filed 1,023 complaints about the 2009 Ford Fusion with NHTSA between Feb 2009 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (473).

Complaints
1,023
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
65
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
40
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes473
  2. Air bags359
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic61
  4. Structure42
  5. Vehicle speed control33
  6. Engine30
  7. Electrical system23
  8. Power train20
  9. Steering16
  10. Latches/locks/linkages13
  11. Wheels9
  12. Seats9
  13. Engine and engine cooling7
  14. Suspension6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20099
201012
201112
201215
201315
201429
201533
201698
2017304
2018241
201979
202060
202171
202218
20239
202410
20253
20265

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes

473 reports40 crashes1 fire
“Dear NHTSA, The braking system failed which was covered by Ford Safety Recall 19S54 with NHTSA campaign #19V904000 at 37,750 miles. After research and finding the label of the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit still on the vehicle, being manufactured 07/12/2008, picture attached, it turned out to be the original HCU, whose failures were the reason for the Safety Recall. A Ford dealer had performed software evaluation of the ABS HCU and determined replacement of unit not necessary. This was done on 4/14/2021 at 17,606 miles along with break fluid change to DOT4 and reservoir cap change. Unfortunately my wife just went through a four-way stop intersection when the break pedal went to the end of its movement without being able to stop. No injuries or crashes involved. According to all sources read, this was caused by the ABS HCU valve being stuck open after attempting to brake on the slippery road during rain. The car is no longer safe to drive and sitting in front of our home. Asked Ford Motor Co to take care of this incomplete repair by the Ford dealer and replace the HCU but they say it’s no longer their responsibility. My understanding is that with a safety recall,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2026Service brakesODI 11762013

Air bags

359 reports20 crashes5 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2009 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 35-45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle was slow to respond. The check brakes system message was displayed. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 21V158000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer completed the air bag recall and diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the brake module and HECU module were corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 96,970. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2024Service brakes, hydraulic, Air bagsODI 11621936

Service brakes, hydraulic

61 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2009 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH and coming to a complete stop at a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed but traveled down to the floorboard. The contact shifted into neutral(N) and continued to pump the brake pedal until the vehicle responded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The brake calipers and the brake master cylinder were replaced, and the ABS module was cleaned; however, the failure persisted, and the contact was advised to retrieve the vehicle. The contact believed that the ABS module replacement was required to repair the vehicle, but the dealer denied additional repairs.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11769237

Structure

42 reports5 crashes1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED AND THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2019StructureODI 11255084

Vehicle speed control

33 reports7 crashes
“Throttle body failure causes vehicle to randomly die or shall or hard shift constantly while driving in heavy traffic and has almost caused multiple wrecks from vehicle stalling and hard shifting randomly. Every light on dash lights up when it happens and car dies causing driver to suddenly switch to park, turn key off and try to start car again while stuck in middle of road or traffic.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2022Vehicle speed controlODI 11447188

Engine

30 reports1 crash1 fire
“Transmission will not go into gear. When it finally does shift it jumps completely forward or backwards depending on the gear. However, it does not matter which gear you put it in. It takes several attempts before it does go into gear; at that time it will completely jump forward/backward. This causes great risk to myself and others on the road/parking lots. I never know when it is going to get in gear or if it will go out while driving. The problem has been reported to the Ford company. The vehicle as not been inspected by any manufacture or policy/insurance. There was no warning, or no warning when it happens.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2023EngineODI 11541452
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.